A longtime member of the Middlefield Village community will be offering more space for additional residents and an increase in jobs this year.The village Planning…
A longtime member of the Middlefield Village community will be offering more space for additional residents and an increase in jobs this year.
The village Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved a building project for Briar Hill Health Care Residence, which is still in the planning stages, but has tentative plans to begin construction in late summer.
“This is exciting for the future of the village,” said Leslie Gambosi, Middlefield Village zoning inspector and economic development director. “We are excited about Briarcliff’s investment in the village and are pleased that we are able to offer a business environment that promotes this type of growth and ability to attract a skilled workforce.”
Tentative plans include a 40-bed assisted living and dementia care facility, a proposed improvement to the east wing on Pierce Street, revamping the current 90-bed facility with a rehab area, renovating the kitchen facility and revamping the dining area, as well as potentially creating 22 additional jobs.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of “The Hills.”
Established in 1965, Briar Hill provides a full spectrum of health care services and long-term care to those living in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs, including Lake, Ashtabula, Geauga, Cuyahoga, Portage, Summit and surrounding counties.
Other Hill locations include Blossom Hill Health Care Residence in Huntsburg Township and Holly Hill Health Care Residence in Newbury Township.
“In 1965, my father envisioned a warm and inviting home to care for the seniors in our community, a place to live and be cared for where life is celebrated,” said Andy Ohman, administrator for Briar Hill Health Care Residence for 21 years. “As our mission statement reads, we feel we are called to serve those who are entrusted to us.”
Family management is important to Ohman, with his wife, Jeanie, playing an integral role in the planning and decorating of the facility.
“Briarcliff Manor is an assisted living residence,” Ohman said. “It truly is our residents’ home. The array of services and amenities offered are designed to enhance the quality of their lives and make this season of their life as comfortable as possible.
“It has always been our desire to create an atmosphere that is elegant but comfortable and homey, and to never have Briarcliff Manor feels like an ‘institution,'” he added. “As with all of the residents on our campus, we consider it a true privilege to care for the folks that live here. Each individual’s life story is unique and amazing.”
Briar Hill offers every level of care for its residents, such as short-term rehab, outpatient therapy, home healthcare, independent living, assisted living, long-term care, hospice and respite care, Ohmans aid.
He also explained the building project is not only an expansion of the current campus, but is intended to enhance the services that are currently offered by providing additional space, which means more privacy, for existing residents as well.
“Every private room added to the layout creates a private room in the existing structure, since those rooms are now semi-private rooms,” Ohman said.
The Middlefield location can provide home and health care for 131 people, including the people that come for short-term rehabilitation following a hospital stay, he said.
According to the 2010 Census information, 22.5 percent of the population were 65 years of age or older in Middlefield. This is an increase from the 2000 census where 18.1 percent of residents were 65 years of age or older.
“This project will increase the number of residents residing on our campus,”?Ohman said. “Additional professional and non-professional nursing staff members will be added to ensure they are properly cared for, as well as support staff such as housekeeping, dietary and laundry, and both full and part-time employees will be added to our staff.”
Middlefield Village Administrator Dan Weir added, “Briar Hill has been a real asset to Middlefield. So it is a good thing for us. We look forward to this expansion.”
Ohman expressed deep appreciation for the support and encouragement of village and county officials as well as committees, friends, neighbors, staff members and the residents and families of Briar Hill.
